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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
HONORING THE LIFE AND MEMORY OF DESIREE LYNN TATE
WHEREAS, Desiree Lynn Tate was born on May 8, 1956 in Chicago, Illinois to Bertha and Oscar Tate; and
WHEREAS, Desiree was the sixth child and only daughter of Bertha and Oscar Tate, who, before their treasured daughter was born, had had five sons: Bob, Raynard, Pete, Freddie and Greg Tate; and
WHEREAS, Desiree was born and raised in the Washington Park community and was a proud graduate of Lindblom Math and Science Academy; and
WHEREAS, Desiree went on to graduate from Indiana University and earn an MBA from DePaul University; and
WHEREAS, while Desiree began her career in the corporate world, she was soon drawn to the social and political issues of the time, namely the representation and empowerment of Chicago's African American community; and
WHEREAS, in 1982, she volunteered on Congressman Harold Washington's historic mayoral campaign and, determined, dove into critical community work, one that would see Harold Washington victorious on April 12, 1983; and
WHEREAS, she was one of a select few volunteers that Mayor Washington would bring along to City Hall, where she held posts in special events and scheduling all while expecting her first and only child, Ashley Tate, born in September of 1983; and
WHEREAS, Desiree worked diligently for the late Mayor Washington at the Democratic National Convention in San Francisco in support of the Rev. Jesse Jackson’s presidential bid; and
WHEREAS, during the convention she made Harold Washington’s Community Development program a center part of the DNC platform by brilliantly bringing together competing interests; and
WHEREAS, in 2008, Desiree was a relentless volunteer for Barack Obama's presidential campaign and rejoiced in his historic victory and re-election in 2012; and
WHEREAS, she also worked as a senior advisor to U.S. Senator Carol Moseley Braun, served as counselor to Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, and most important, continuously mentored the next generation of young bright minds to become powerful leaders in their own right; and
WHEREAS, Desiree worked tirelessly for education, the desegregation of public schools, and school improvement initiatives; and
WHEREAS, she inspired thousands of parents to get involved in their children's education through her Power of Parents initiative, for which she organized conferences and mentored parents; and
WHEREAS, she was actively engaged with Rainbow PUSH, the Chicago Urban League, the Woodlawn Organization, and Breakthrough Urban Ministries; and
WHEREAS, Desiree was an extraordinary businesswoman, civic leader, dedicated friend, and a Cook County resident who selflessly made extraordinary contributions to improve the community; and
WHEREAS, Desiree Lynn Tate passed away on May 28, 2018; and
WHEREAS, is survived by her beloved daughter Ashley, numerous family members, godchildren, friends and colleagues; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the President and the Cook County Board of Commissioners, on behalf of the residents of Cook County, hereby offer its deepest condolences and most heartfelt sympathy to the family of Desiree Lynn Tate and honor the life and memory of this outstanding Cook County resident.end